We Asked Experts Whether Drinking Days-Old Water Is Dangerous — And Their Answer Was Surprising

HuffPost consults a dietitian and a microbiologist who agree that water left out for about 12 hours is generally fine to drink, but water sitting a full day risks bacterial growth from the tap and the air. Both experts recommend dumping glasses after 12 hours and finishing any shared bottle in one go rather than saving it, since mouth bacteria transfer into the liquid.

The piece cites studies showing bacterial concentrations rise overnight in drinking water and that infrequently used taps can harbor higher bacteria levels. The ultimate advice: if your only option is a day-old bottle, drink it anyway rather than risk dehydration.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.